Data Ethics in the Participatory Sciences Toolkit

How to Use

Project leaders should use this toolkit to help them “think like an ethicist” while bearing the responsibility as data stewards who are accountable for executing data governance decisions. Work through the toolkit or its accompanying interactive course at the beginning of a new project or after a project has begun. 

Toolkit users should begin with the Governance Tool, a foundational step to help craft a data governance plan. It will help users critically review key data governance concepts including the various types of data streams and their potential for harm; well-developed ethical frameworks; and structures for data governance. When established thoughtfully, a project’s governance structure will help diffuse the concentration of power and control within a project. 

Once in hand, the data governance plan can be used to explore more specific areas of data ethics through two generalized and intertwined tracks: 

1. Clarify and establish obligations to the scientific community with the Data Integrity and Report-Out Tools. Use these tools to craft a data integrity plan and plan for responsible data publication for future community use. 
2. Ensure project participants and partners benefit from project contributions using the Recompense and Report-Back tools.  

When completed holistically, all five tools will result in a complete Trustworthy Data Practices Summary, to help track and clearly communicate project leaders’ decision-making process.